ئێمە وەک کوردانی دانیشتووی وەلایەتی میشیگان لەم نامە بانگەواز لە سەرکردایەتی ئەم وەلایەتە (سەناتۆر) دەکەین کە هاودەنگ لەگەڵ پەخشان عەزیزی وریشە مورادی بوەستن بۆ راگردنی حۆکمی لە سێدارەدانی ئەم دوو خاتوونە.

تکایە بە واژۆ کردنی ئەم نامە دەنگی خۆت بخە پاڵ دەنگی ئێمە بۆ هەڵ وەشاندنەوەی حۆکمی لە سێدارە دانی خاتوو پەخشان عەزیزی و وریشە مورادی.

To the Honorable Members of the Michigan State Senate,

We, the Kurdish community living in Michigan, write to you with urgency and deep concern regarding the unjust and inhumane sentencing of two Kurdish women civil and political activists, Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi, by the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These sentences represent not only a grave violation of human rights but also a continuation of systemic oppression against the Kurdish minority in Iran.

We strongly condemn the sentencing of Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi, as we believe these women are dedicated civil activists committed to the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice. Their imprisonment and harsh sentences are not only unjust but also a blatant violation of the inherent rights of all human beings to freedom, dignity, and expression.

Pakhshan Azizi (On 23 July 2024, her lawyers were informed that she had been sentenced to death and four years in prison.) is a journalist, social worker, and human rights activist who has tirelessly worked to support vulnerable communities. Her advocacy for human dignity and justice has been met with baseless accusations, such as "armed rebellion against the state," aimed at silencing her important work.

Warisha Moradi (The Kurdistan Human Rights Network announced that the death sentence of Warisha Moradi was held on 16 June and 5 October 2024, by the 15th Branch of the Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court) has been a steadfast advocate for the political and social rights of women and minorities. Her commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights has drawn the harsh retaliation of the Iranian regime, including solitary confinement, torture, and a trial that lacked legal representation or due process.

The persecution of Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi is not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign against the Kurdish minority in Iran. The regime has long suppressed Kurdish culture, language, and political expression. In targeting Kurdish women activists, the regime demonstrates its fear of their leadership in advocating for justice, equality, and basic freedoms.

According to the U.S. State Department's annual human rights reports, the Iranian government consistently violates the rights of minorities, including Kurds, through arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and systemic discrimination. These sentences are yet another example of the Iranian regime’s ongoing efforts to silence voices that challenge its oppressive policies.

We urge the Michigan State Senate to:

1. Condemn the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi and call for their immediate and unconditional release.
2. Recognize these sentences as a violation of the fundamental human rights to freedom, dignity, and equality.
3. Support U.S. efforts to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights violations, including targeted sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
4. Advocate for international intervention and monitoring to protect the lives of Pakhshan Azizi, Warisha Moradi, and other Kurdish activists.

The United States has long championed human rights and the defense of oppressed communities worldwide. Supporting the freedom and safety of Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi aligns with these principles and reaffirms America’s commitment to justice and equality.

We appeal to your conscience and leadership to stand in solidarity with Pakhshan Azizi Warisha Moradi, and the Kurdish minority in Iran. Your voice can help shed light on their plight and push for meaningful action to save their lives and defend their rights. Together, we can send a powerful message that the oppression of minorities and the silencing of women’s voices will not be tolerated.

Sincerely,

Kurdish Community Living in Michigan